U.S., Bangladesh conclude Pacific Angel mission

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Chris Hoyler
  • Pacific Angel 10-3 Public Affairs
JESSORE, Bangladesh --  The work of more than 60 military members from four nations was celebrated June 17 during the closing ceremonies for Pacific Angel 10-3 at the Lauri High School and Primary School in Shyamkur Township here.

U.S. Air Force, Navy and Army personnel teamed up with Bangladesh and Indonesian Air Force and Nepalese Army for medical and engineering civic assistance programs and subject matter expert exchanges from June 12-16.

Air Vice Marshal Abu Esrar, the Bangladesh Air Force's Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Operations and Training, thanked the U.S. for continuing to assist in training and humanitarian operations with the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

"I'd like to thank all of the involved parties for making this operation a success," Air Vice Marshal Esrar said. "This has enhanced interoperability between our two Air Forces and will help develop confidence between our two nations. We look forward to similar exercises in the future."

In addition to the major renovations completed at the school, more than 4,800 Bangladesh citizens, including more than 500 children, received medical care in the areas of general practice, dentistry and optometry along with any necessary follow-up pharmaceuticals.

In addressing the operation's participants, Brig. Gen. Michael Keltz, Pacific Air Forces assistant director of operations, said "The experience that you've had here is more important than you can think of. The relationships we are building with other nations by personally being here and working with one another cannot be calculated. It is something that we as a global society need, as we have seen that the world needs us united together. I'm looking forward to seeing the future operations that we have here in Bangladesh and in other parts of the world, including Nepal and Indonesia."

During the five days the U.S., Bangladeshi and Nepalese engineers were on site, the school received a new roof for one building, another building had a leaking roof repaired, more than 60 fans and lights were installed and each of the seven buildings received a new interior and exterior paint job.

"When we came here for the planning stages, we asked the school's headmaster (Mr. Subal Chandra Ghosh) what he believed the school needed the most," said Senior Master Sgt. Terry Rembold, a civil engineer from the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. "The roof on the main building was the biggest thing, the kids would sit there and work and the roof would drip."

There were also repairs completed on previously built structures, including bathrooms, the school's main water supply and an awning for teachers to park their bikes or motorized cycles.

Capt. David Masuck, the engineering team lead from the 354th CES, compared the project to similar ones he led as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"It's a great opportunity for us to give back to this community, and they've been very helpful in assisting us to complete this project," Captain Masuck said. "It's been a rewarding task to work on this school."
General Keltz added, "Every engineer, no matter what nation they are from, when they build things for people that makes lives better, it is something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. That is something that you cannot put a price on, it is something that stays in their hearts and it goes back to building great relationships."

Pacific Angel missions have been conducted several times annually since 2008, and in 2010, there have already been missions completed in the Philippines and Vietnam. The final Pacific Angel mission for the year will be conducted in Sri Lanka in August.